building a plot/planter

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Aitch

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building a plot/planter
« on: July 26, 2010, 20:22 »
hi all, we are interested in starting to grow our own veg. Were to start ? we have a concrete yard and was going to bulid a little plot.  1) what is the best to build it out of (brick, wood )? 2) do we build it straight onto the concrete ground or raised off the floor ? 3) how deep does it need to be so we can grow a variety of  root veg? and any other advice on the build would be gratelly recieved
Thank you in advance
Ian and Helen

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peapod

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Re: building a plot/planter
« Reply #1 on: July 26, 2010, 20:37 »
Hiya and welcome both of you  :D

It really depends how big you want it, but first and foremost I would think about drainage.  Is it possible to knock a few holes into the concrete with a pneumatic drill? Or even remove the concrete altogether? I say this because I have a raised bed and took the concrete flags up, and Im glad I did.  I can imagine how waterlogged it could have got this year.

Anyway, I'd go for 18" high or more, to deter carrot fly and for ease of use. Its also great for getting good root veg.  What it is made out of is really up to you, think about price, aesthetics and long lasting materials. My garden one is made from sleepers, but it wasnt cheap, though we chose those to look good . The one we are building at the lotty is made from free reclaimed brick - not as pretty but still does the job, and obviously longer lasting than wood.

Others will offer opinions too
"I think the carrot infinitely more fascinating than the geranium. The carrot has mystery. Flowers are essentially tarts. Prostitutes for the bees. There is, you'll agree, a certain je ne sais quoi oh so very special about a firm young carrot" Withnail and I

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Aitch

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Re: building a plot/planter
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2010, 19:49 »
Thanx for the reply. Can't dig up the concrete so I thought of putting it on batons to keep it of the floor so the excess water will run off.
Thanx again I'm sure we'll have plenty more questions as we go along
Ian and Helen

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peapod

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Re: building a plot/planter
« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2010, 19:54 »
Batons are good too, just remember theres quite a bit of weight in watered soil + plants at times  :D

Don't forget the pics

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Aitch

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Re: building a plot/planter
« Reply #4 on: July 27, 2010, 22:46 »
Have plans in my head on how to build it, which should b very strong. Pictures will follow but at the moment we r still finding out wot to do and wen and wot we need to buy cos we are complete novices.
Again thank you

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peapod

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Re: building a plot/planter
« Reply #5 on: July 27, 2010, 22:58 »
You're very welcome  :D

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Aitch

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Re: building a plot/planter
« Reply #6 on: July 28, 2010, 22:31 »
Oh well the size is going to b 160x110x45 hopefully this will b enough to plant different crops. I'm sure I'll have questions when it's built on filling it, soil, compost and things like that  ???

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Aitch

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Re: building a plot/planter
« Reply #7 on: July 28, 2010, 22:40 »
Oh and a fold away polythene lid aswel :D

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peapod

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Re: building a plot/planter
« Reply #8 on: July 28, 2010, 22:41 »
Oh and a fold away polythene lid aswel :D

Good! A coldframe/bed. Very useful  :D

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Aitch

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Re: building a plot/planter
« Reply #9 on: August 03, 2010, 11:56 »
Hi all, the planter is on it's way to being built but we were wondering about the base. Do we put all the planks together and drill holes for drainage, or is it best to leave a gap between each one or even both ? Also do we need to line the wall of the planter with anything ?
Thank you  :D

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Aitch

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Re: building a plot/planter
« Reply #10 on: August 03, 2010, 11:58 »
Oh and should I start a different three each time or just keep using this if it related ? ???

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Trillium

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Re: building a plot/planter
« Reply #11 on: August 04, 2010, 15:21 »
Here's a helpful link, just go down to build a raised bed and click on the video and the 'read more' bits.
http://www.gardengirltv.com/home-and-garden-video-archive.html

You can use a lot of her ideas with your situation, particularly laying down a gravel base first for drainage over which I'd recommend some weed barrier fabric to keep the soil in.

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Aitch

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Re: building a plot/planter
« Reply #12 on: August 04, 2010, 16:59 »
Thank you I've had a brief look and there seams to b plenty on there so I'll have a proper look wen I get home :)

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Aitch

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Re: building a plot/planter
« Reply #13 on: August 05, 2010, 12:36 »
Can any one suggest a suitable wood treatment for the frame work of my planter that will not contaminate the soil ?
Thanx

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Trillium

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Re: building a plot/planter
« Reply #14 on: August 06, 2010, 02:28 »
If you can afford it, use treated lumber as the bottom layer. These days it's not treated with the same deadly chemicals as originally used.



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